Dad accused of taking boy from Alabama home in '02 pleads not guilty in Cleveland court

CLEVELAND – A man accused of taking his 5-year-old son from an Alabama home in 2002 and creating a life for them in Ohio under new identities has pleaded not guilty in Cleveland to kidnapping.

Bobby Hernandez also is charged with forgery, records tampering and interference with custody in Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH'-guh) County court. A judge continued his $250,000 bond on Tuesday.

Authorities say Hernandez took his son from the boy's mother's home in the Birmingham area in 2002.

The ruse fell apart this fall when discrepancies with the 18-year-old boy's Social Security number were discovered as he began the college application process. Hernandez was arrested in early November.

Defense attorney Ralph DeFranco says Hernandez and his son have talked on the phone and have seen each other since the arrest.